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March 31, 1964 w. J. URBAN 7,

LAMP HARP AND BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. gig/mama J. URBAN M h 31, 1964 w. J. URBAN 3,127,118

LAMP HARP AND BASE CONSTRUCTION Filed July 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. M .1. URBAN United States Patent 3,127,118 LAM? HARP AND BASE CGNSTRUCTIQN Wilbur .l. Urban, River Forest, Ill., assignor to Hub Stamping and Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ell. Filed Juiy 5, 1960, Ser. No. 49,648 3 Claims. (ill. 24tl132) This invention relates to lamp holders or supports, and more particularly to a detachable lamp harp and base construction.

Dealers and manufacturers of electric lamps and particularly lamp shade holders or harps have found it desirable to utilize a construction which is compact when in a storage or shipping condition, that may be rapidly and easily assembled and disassembled, that is rugged in use, and which cannot be accidentally disassembled or maladjusted in normal service. In addition, a lamp shade holder that is simple in construction, economical to produce, and attractive in appearance, is also desirable.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved lamp harp and base construction for supporting a lamp shade which satisfies all of the foregoing considerations.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved lamp harp and base construction in which a rigid interconnection is obtained between the parts when assembled, and which permits of rapid assembly and disassembly of the harp from the base.

A further object of the invention is to provide a demountable lamp harp and base construction which permits of compact packaging for shipment or storage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved lamp harp and base construction which does not require the use of special tools for assembly or disassembly.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lamp harp and base construction that is simple and economical to manufacture, reliable in use, and is attractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reference to the detailed description which follows and the accompanying sheets of drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a lamp harp and base constructed according to the principles of the present invention and comprising one specific embodiment thereof;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts broken away to show underlying structure, of the lamp harp and base of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top plan View, similar to FIG. 2, of a modified form of the invention, the latter comprising a second embodiment thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the base and a portion of a lamp harp showing another modified form of the invention, the latter comprising a third embodiment thereof;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view along the line 9- of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the lamp harp and base construction shown in FIGS. 7-9.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, there is illustrated a lamp shade' 3,127,118 Patented Mar. 31, 1964 of the invention. The holder 10 in this instance includes a base 11 and a frame or harp 12 that is adapted to be detachably secured to the base 11 to provide the construction it The frame or harp portion 12 of the construction lit) is conventional to the extent that it is preferably formed of a length of resilient wire bent generally into the form of an inverted, elongated U having a pair of vertically extending side members or legs 13 which are connected at their upper ends by an integral horizontally disposed portion or crosspiece 14. The horizontal portion 14 is so formed to facilitate attachment of a fitting 16 to which a lamp shade or the like may be secured. The leg portions 13 of the frame 12 are initially formed with a slight divergence so that their lower ends, indicated at 17, are spaced a greater distance than the width of the base 11, the legs 13 being bowed centrally'outwardly as indicated in dotted line at 13 to accommodate larger sized bulbs.

According to the present invention, the base 11 is hollow and in the shape of a cup having a fiat bottom 21, annular upwardly and outwardly tapering side walls 22, and an upper open end 23 that is adapted to receive and detachably secure the frame 11 in an upright position. The cup 11 is sufficiently large to accommodate a standard electric light bulb socket, indicated at 24 in dotted line in FIGURE 1, and the bottom 21 is provided with a central opening 26 (FIG. 2) to facilitate mounting of the base 11 on an ornamental stand or support (not shown) and to accommodate the usual wires leading to the socket 24.

In order to effect the aforementioned detachable securement of the frame 12 to the base 11, interengaging securing means is provided at the upper end 23 of the base 11 and the lower ends 17 of the legs 13 to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the harp or frame portion 12 from the base 11 and to provide a rigid and positive mounting therebetween when the parts are in an assembled condition. To this end, the lower ends 1'7 of the legs 13 are provided with engaging structure for engaging the base 11 in the form of a pair of arcuatc sections 27 which extend transversely of the plane of the frame 12. and which are preferably secured to the outer sides of the legs 13 as by welding, indicated at 28 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). The sections 27 preferably are formed from the same material as the frame 12.

In order to provide a seat for the arcuate sections 27, the upper end 23 of the cup 11 is rolled or otherwise formed with an arcuately grooved portion or annular recess 29 therearound, which extends outwardly from the inner side, indicated at 311, of the side walls 22. The groove 29 has a width and depth suflicient to conjointly receive the arcuate sections 27 in nested relation therein, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the ends 17 of the legs 13 are inserted into the cup 11 to mount the frame 12 on the cup 11. To this end, the arcuate sections 27 desirably have radii of curvature substantially equal to that of the groove 29 so that the sections will seat in the groove 29 throughout their full length when the frame 12 is assembled with the cup 11.

Because of the fact that the legs 13 are formed with an initial divergence so that the ends 17 thereof are spaced a greater distance than the diameter of the groove 29, it will be apparent that the natural resilience or spring of the legs 13 will retain the arcuate sections 27 seated in the groove 29, as shown in solid line in the figures, after such relationship has been established. However, in order to prevent accidental disengagement of the sections 27 from the groove 29 after assembly of the frame 12 with the cup 11, the latter is provided with a portion that is adapted to prevent inward shifting of the arcuate sections 27 when they are in a predetermined position in the groove 29. Such portion, in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. l-4, preferably comprises an abutment or lug 32 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) which extends crosswise of the groove 29 and which is formed by a struck-up section of the side wall 22 of the cup 11. Inasmuch as two arcuate sections 27 are secured to the ends 17, two diametrically spaced lugs 32 are utilized.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 3 and 4, the lugs 32 extend upwardly as an extension of the side wall 22 a sufficient distance to restrict the area of the groove at this point and thus prevent radial inward movement of the arcuate sections 27 thereover and disengagement of the legs 14 from the base 11.

Assembly of the lamp harp or frame 12 with the base 11 to provide the construction it? is as follows. Assuming first that a light bulb socket 24 has been mounted in the cup 11, it is only necessary to position the frame 12 and arcuate sections 27 in relation to the cup 11 so that the sections can be inserted into the cup 11 and seated in the groove 29. The frame 12 is thus moved into a position adjacent the upper end 23 of the cup 11 with the arcuate sections in the approximate position indicated at 27' in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the legs 13 are compressed toward each other a sufiicient amount to permit the arcuate sections 27 to be inserted into the open end of the cup 11 in radial alignment with the groove 29 and out of registry with the lugs 32. The arcuate sections 27 have a length such as to permit such movement. The ends 17 of the legs 13 are then permitted to spring apart, thus seating the arcuate sections 27 in the groove 29, as indicated in dotted line at 27" in FIG. 2. The frame 12 may then be rotated or turned in a direction to shift the sections 27 into a position underlying the lugs 32, such as illustrated by the full line position of the sections 27 in FIG. 2.

The weld 28 serves as a convenient indicator of the interlocked position of the frame 12 with the base 11 as resistance to further twisting of the frame 12 is encountered when the welds 28 contact the lugs 32. When thus assembled, the frame 12 is rigidly interconnected with the base 11 and cannot accidentally be detached therefrom without reversing the previous sequence of movements.

Because of the fact that only the ends 17 of the legs 13 extend into the cup 11 so that the entire frame 12 is carried substantially wholly externally of the base 11, the interior cup or base 11 is unobstructed and thus may be made with minimum external dimensions, thereby providing a compact and pleasing appearance to the assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, a modified form of the lamp harp and base construction of the present invention is illustrated, the latter being designated genorally at 40 and comprising a second embodiment thereof. Inasmuch as the embodiment 40 utilizes many parts in common with that of the construction 10, like reference numerals will be used to identify identical parts. Thus, the lamp harp and base construction 40 is the same as that of the construction in that a base 11 and harp or frame 12 are employed which are substantially identical with those of the construction 10. The construction 46 also includes interengaging securing means comprising a pair of arcuate sections 27 secured to the lower ends 17 of the legs 13, and the upper end 23 of the cup 11 is provided with a groove 29 therearound for receiving the sections 27 in nested relation when the parts are assembled.

The construction 49 differs from the previous embodiment in the manner in which the arcuate sections 27 are retained in seated relation in the groove 29. Thus, in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a pair of diametrically spaced fingers or lugs 41 are provided for preventing radially inward shifting of the armate sections 27, the lugs 4i extending downwardly from the upper marginal edge, indicated at 42, of the cup toward the lower side of the groove 29. The lugs 41 are preferably arcuate in cross-section and are diametrically spaced from each other and are sufiiciently long to restrict the area, indicated at 43, between the lower side of the groove 29 and the remote end of the fingers 41 in the manner of the lugs 32. The lugs 42 thus prevent radially inward shifting of the sections 27 and have a circumferential width substantially equal to that of the lugs 32. Preferably, the lugs 41 are formed integrally from the material at the upper end 23 of the cup 11.

In all other respects, the construction of the embodiment 40 is substantially identical with that of the embodiment 10, and the manner of assembly and disassembly of the harp or frame 12 from the base 11 is substantially identical to that of the previous embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10 inclusive, still another form of the present invention is illustrated and designated generally at 50, the latter comprising a third embodiment thereof. As in the previous embodiments like reference numerals are used to identify identical parts.

The lamp harp and base construction 50 is similar to the two previous embodiments in that the same cupshaped base 11 and an inverted U-shaped harp or frame (not shown) are employed, the construction 50 differing from the previous embodiments in the manner in which the arcuate sections 27 are retained in nested engagement in the groove 29.

Thus, in the construction 50, the interengaging securing means for detachably securing the frame 12 to the base 11 includes a removable member, in this instance a ring 51, for preventing unintentional disengagement of the sections 27 from the groove 29. Thus, when the ring 51 is inserted between the adjacent inner sides of the legs 13 of the frame 12 after the sections 27 have been seated in the groove 29, the sections 27 are held seated in the groove.

As best seen in FIGS. 8 and 10, the ring 51 preferably comprises a flat or washer-like portion 52 having a pair of diametrically spaced radially extending notches or cutouts 53 in the outer circumferential edge thereof, and an annular axially extending flange 54 (FIGS. 9 and 10) on the inner peripheral edge of the ring. The notches 53 thus open outwardly and have a width substantially equal to that of the thickness of the lower ends 13 of the harp or frame 12, and a radial depth such that inner ends of the notches 53 are substantially adjacent the outer side face of the flange 54. The flat portion 52 has a width sufficient to overlap the upper end 23 of the cup 11, which is rolled or turned inwardly to form the groove 29. The outside diameter of the flange 54 is substantially equal to the spacing between the adjacent inner sides of the legs 13 when the sections 27 are seated in the groove 29. Thus, with ring 51 inserted between the legs 13, it is impossible to spring the legs 13 toward each other to effect disengagement of the frame from the cup.

In use, the ring 51 is inserted between the legs 14 in any convenient manner such as by first engaging one of the notches 53 around a leg 13 and thereafter pivoting the ring downwardly until the opposite notch embraces the other leg and the washer-like portion 52 seats flush against the upper end 23 of the cup 11. The ring 51 may also be inserted by moving it downwardly bodily into a flush engaged position with the end 23 and with the notches 53 indexed with the legs 13.

The construction 50 is advantageous in that when the ring 51 is engaged in an operable position with the harp or frame and the cup 11, additional support is provided for the frame 12, and a neat appearance is presented. In this regard, the inside diameter dimension of the ring may be such as to engage and support the upper end of the lamp socket 24 that is mounted in the cup 11, when the parts are assembled.

While only three embodiments of the invention have been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that modifications and variations thereof may be efi'ected without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A lamp harp and base construction comprising a cup-shaped base having an open upper end and an inner surface flaring outwardly and upwardly to the top of said base and adapted to support a socket therein, said base having a groove formed around the open end thereof at the widest part of said base and opening inwardly and lying outside of said inner surface of said base, a frame including a pair of legs extending upwardly from said base and having transversely extending engaging structure at the lower ends thereof adapted to be removably seated in said groove, said groove being sufiiciently deep so that said engaging structure lies substantially entirely within said groove when seated therein, whereby the interior of said base is substantially unobstructed,

2. A lamp harp and base construction comprising a hollow base adapted to support a socket therein, said base comprising a cup, and a frame extending from said base and including a pair of legs having their ends inserted in said base and having arcuate sections extending generally transversely of the plane of said frame, said base having an arcuately grooved portion around the open end thereof opening radially inwardly and a pair of lugs extending crosswise of said grooved portion at the inner side thereof, said arcuate sections being positioned in said grooved portion and shiftable therein to a position underlying said lugs to prevent radially inward 6 shifting of said arcuate sections out of said grooved portion.

3. A lamp harp and base construction comprising a hollow base adapted to support a socket therein, a frame extending from said base and including a pair of legs having their ends inserted in said base, said base having an arcuately grooved portion around the open end thereof opening radially inwardly, said legs having arcuate sections extending generally transversely of the plane of said frame and positioned in said grooved portion, and a ring removably mounted within said hollow base between the ends of said legs to maintain said arcuate sections in said grooved portion, said ring comprising a flat portion having a pair of notches in the circumferential edge thereof for receiving the ends of the legs therein, and an axial flange on said ring extending into said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 294,289 Timberlake Feb. 26, 1884 1,600,649 Basini Sept. 21, 1926 1,988,583 Worthington Jan. 22, 1935 2,147,471 Tyrrell et a1 Feb. 14, 1939 2,520,795 Bramming Aug. 29, 1950 2,531,523 Moser Nov. 28, 1950 2,594,074 Rosenfeld Apr. 22, 1952 2,628,858 Doty Feb. 17, 1953 2,802,098 Chilo Aug. 6, 1957 2,950,840 Franz Aug. 30, 1960 

1. A LAMP HARP AND BASE CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A CUP-SHAPED BASE HAVING AN OPEN UPPER END AND AN INNER SURFACE FLARING OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY TO THE TOP OF SAID BASE AND ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A SOCKET THEREIN, SAID BASE HAVING A GROOVE FORMED AROUND THE OPEN END THEREOF AT THE WIDEST PART OF SAID BASE AND OPENING INWARDLY AND LYING OUTSIDE OF SAID INNER SURFACE OF SAID BASE, A FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF LEGS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE AND HAVING TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING ENGAGING STRUCTURE AT THE LOWER ENDS THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE REMOVABLY SEATED IN SAID GROOVE, SAID GROOVE BEING SUFFICIENTLY DEEP SO THAT SAID ENGAGING STRUCTURE LIES SUBSTANTIALLY ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID GROOVE WHEN SEATED THEREIN, WHEREBY THE INTERIOR OF SAID BASE IS SUBSTANTIALLY UNOBSTRUCTED. 